Tempers flare as frustrations boil over in UIF queue
People have queued for hours, some arriving as early as 4am when it's cold and dark, and some even earlier.
The effects of the Covid-19 lockdown have in general seen most folk on the ragged edge when it comes to keeping a cool disposition. But none more so than those who have had to wait in long – sometimes very, very long – queues.
Like those waiting in line to make a UIF application at the Department of Employment and Labour in Port Shepstone.
Brenda Fynn of Merlewood and Philip Gooriah of Marburg are just two of those who have expressed their frustration.
People have queued for hours, some arriving as early as 4am when it’s cold and dark, and some even earlier. Mr Gooriah’s main bugbear was that it was difficult to obtain information.
“I was there to help my wife Priscilla, who needs to apply, but they’re not telling us what’s happening and we just have to wait,” he said.
Mrs Fynn was concerned about the people, some whom had travelled a long way, having to sit in the sun for hours.”It would be nice if they put up some shelters, and what happens if it rains?”
They’re in agreement that there must surely be a better system. In particular, they feel the department is understaffed and as a result, under-pressure workers have at times not been as polite as they may usually be.
“There needs to be an improvement – I saw only one person working and there were such long queues,” said Mr Gooriah.
“People haven’t got the money for extra taxi fare, having to come back,” added Mrs Fynn.
An attempt to contact the department for comment was met with an unanswered landline, a cellphone number with a recording saying it was invalid and an email which had not been replied to at the time of writing (last Wednesday).
Since then, there had been a reply from the Port Shepstone branch officer, noting the concerns and informing staff of these concerns.
However, the Herald was also advised to contact the communications officer in Durban, which was duly done. No reply has yet been received from this office.
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